Hello Baysiders, hope all is well in your souls in this summer season.
Many years ago, I once heard a preacher say, “Church is not a museum of saints, but a hospital for sinners.” It got me thinking to my personal relationship with my local church. Did I go to church to look better than those who didn’t come to church? Was my weekly attendance a way to feel good about myself and belittle others who are not as mature as me? Was church simply about me? The more I thought about it and the more bible I read the more I realized I viewed my local church wrong. I saw church as only a means to fulfill my personal needs; an escalator to my own faith achievements. Then I ran into Hebrews 10:24-25, “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another.” And eureka! I discovered church wasn’t about me, it was for others and how can I offer my talents and gifts to God’s people. I started to see church not as an escalator, but as a bridge I build and cross with other Christians as we journey in the same direction to be more like Jesus. This is why church is so vital and the reason we weekly come together.
Church is not a place to look good in front of others or a fast food restaurant to be served the way you want but rather a place to be vulnerable and accepted by grace. I now see church as an AA meeting for sinners and a place a sinner should feel most safe. We all have the sin addiction and so we come together to get stronger, heal, encourage and learn from each other. The church is a forgiven sinful community of the many facets of God’s good heavenly character. It’s our commitment and attendance to other Christians (not a building) that brings us into restoration, spiritual maturity and where weakness is made strong. Church is the place where God can speak to you, people talk to you, and gifts shared. Brothers and sisters can uplift you when you are down, encourage you when you need it, accompany you when you are alone, and most of all, comfort you when you are hurting.
Here are a few important dates for next month at Bayside. We will be having a Church Cleaning Day on Sunday, August 11th after lunch. We will be focusing on external maintenance of the church, so be sure to bring your garden clothes. The next family meeting will be on August 25th at 1pm.
Grace and peace ?;^)